Reminder that prevention, screening, and early detection are critical; schedule a mammogram

(Bronx, NY - May 11, 2015)Jacobi Medical Center and North Central Bronx Hospital, of the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC), will host multiple breast health education events in May to emphasize to women in the Bronx that prevention, screening, and early detection are the best defenses against breast cancer. Patients can also schedule an appointment for a mammogram. It is recommended that women 40 and over schedule a mammogram every one to two years. A complete list of events throughout the City are available on HHC’s website.

“It has been HHC’s mission and goal to help all New Yorkers live the healthiest life possible and we have been at the forefront of providing preventive health screenings in New York City,” said HHC President Dr. Ram Raju. “A mammography saves lives and we encourage people to make use of this opportunity to get screened.”

In 2014, HHC hospitals and health centers performed more than 103,000 mammograms throughout New York City. Patients interested in scheduling a mammogram are encouraged to call 311 to identify the HHC facility most convenient to them, where confidential, affordable mammograms can be performed for all New Yorkers.

"Advances in treatment and earlier detection make the survival rate for breast cancer well over 90 percent,” said Margaret Kemeny, MD, Director, Queens Cancer Center, HHC Queens Hospital Center. “It is my hope that women are encouraged by this and take proactive steps starting at age 40 to get screened every one to two years to fight against this disease.”

HHC's health insurance plan, MetroPlus, is supporting breast health and screenings throughout May by urging its staff and the community to take proactive steps to know their health status. MetroPlus Health Plan is one of the New York area's largest providers of government-sponsored health insurance and is the plan of choice for 445,000 New Yorkers.

HHC hospitals in the Bronx will host the following breast cancer informational events in May (mammograms are also available at HHC facilities year round):

The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) is a $6.7 billion integrated healthcare delivery system, the largest municipal healthcare organization in the country, and one of the New York area's largest providers of government-sponsored health insurance, MetroPlus Health Plan, the plan of choice for nearly half a million New Yorkers. HHC serves 1.4 million New Yorkers every year and more than 475,000 are uninsured. HHC provides medical, mental health and substance abuse services through its 11 acute care hospitals, five skilled nursing facilities, six large diagnostic and treatment centers and more than 70 community based clinics. HHC Health and Home Care also provides in-home services for New Yorkers. HHC was the 2008 recipient of the National Quality Forum and The Joint Commission's John M. Eisenberg Award for Innovation in Patient Safety and Quality. For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/hhc or find us on facebook.com/nycHHC or twitter.com/HHCnyc.